Maharashtra Human Rights Commission Summons Chief Secretary For Failure To Implement Tuition Fee Waivers For Drought-Hit Students
Varad Bhatkhande
Pune, 6th May 2024: There have been several media reports highlighting the challenges faced by students hailing from drought-affected regions of Maharashtra. In response, the Student Helping Hands organization expressed their concerns, prompting the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission to take serious note of the complaint.
A Government Resolution (GR) was issued regarding the waiver of tuition fees for students from drought-affected areas, which the Maharashtra State Government was reportedly not adhering to.
Adv. Kuldeep Ambekar, the founder of the Student Helping Hands organization, the Human Rights Commission has ordered the submission of an affidavit from the Maharashtra State Government. The Chief Secretary of Maharashtra has also been summoned and is required to be present on or before May 13th.
The GR was issued following media reports highlighting the difficulties faced by students from Vidharbha and Marathwada, the drought-affected regions. It underscored the challenges these students face, including the inability to afford two meals a day and the difficulty of asking for money from parents undergoing their hardships. The government must ensure quality education and facilities for all students, and the inaction on their part has infringed upon the human rights of these students.
The order to summon the secretary stems from the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (Procedure) Regulations 2011. The matter is scheduled to be heard before the division bench of Justice KK Tated, Chairperson, and member of the court, Sanjay Kumar, on May 13th, 2024, at 11:00 AM.
